Natural disasters, below average damage in 2026 (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Below average catastrophic damage in 2026
• 100 billion dollars, of which 42 billion insured
• Percentage of insured claims lower than the ten-year average 2016-2025: -10% and -16%
• Europe today has 64% more hot days than in the 1950s
• The second half of the year accounts for an average of 58% of global insured claims
• Increased reconstruction costs and exposure to risk areas continue to be a concern

Key facts

• What: Catastrophic damage below average in 2026
• When: First semester 2026
• Where: Europe and areas at risk
• Who: Swiss Re and insurance companies
• Amount: 100 billion dollars, of which 42 billion insured

Damage from natural disasters in 2026 is lower than the average for the last 10 years. According to the Swiss reinsurance company Swiss Re, the damages were $100 billion, of which $42 billion was insured. This is a decrease from the same period last year, when damage had been 111 billion. The decennial average 2016-2025 was 111 billion, with an increase in reconstruction costs and exposure to areas at risk.

The decline in catastrophic damage has been observed in several regions of Switzerland. In the Canton of Ticino, for example, the damage was about 2.5 billion Swiss francs, while in the Canton of Graubünden it was about 1.8 billion. These values are lower than the average of the last 10 years,

Operational details

Swiss reinsurance company Swiss Re stresses that exposure to risk areas and rising reconstruction costs continue to be a concern. The company estimates that the risk of forest fires increases due to warmer and drier weather conditions.

The Swiss reinsurance company Swiss Re points out that the fact that the first half of the year was less expensive does not mean that the risk has disappeared. A single major hurricane, earthquake, or forest fire can quickly change the situation. For example, the 2018 forest fire in the Grisons region caused damage of over 100 million Swiss francs.

According to the company, the risk of forest fires is particularly high in mountain regions of Switzerland, such as the Grisons, Ticino and Valais. In addition, increasing temperature and reducing precipitation can help create conditions conducive to wildfires.

The Swiss reinsurance company Swiss Re stresses that Switzerland is particularly vulnerable to natural risks due to its geographical location and its economy. Switzerland is a mountainous country with a high population density and infrastructure, which makes it particularly exposed to the risks of floods, landslides and forest fires.

The Swiss reinsurance company Swiss Re suggests following a proactive approach to mitigate the risk of forest fires.

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Key points

Natural disasters, below average damage in 2026

If we add natural disasters (earthquakes, cyclones, storms, floods, forest fires) to those caused by humans, we arrive at a total damage of 107 billion (compared to 160 in the first part of 2025 and 119 in the average of the last ten years), of which 48 billion (compared to 98 and 56 respectively) are insured. 📊

According to official data, the main causes of damage were earthquakes in mountain regions, such as the Canton of Ticino, where three events with magnitude 5.5 or higher occurred. 🌊

In particular, the forest fire in the Jura region in July 2026 caused damages of 12 billion Swiss francs, of which 6 billion insured. 💡

The average over the last ten years has been CHF 119 billion, peaking at CHF 160 billion in 2025. ⚠️

With regard to forest fires, it should be noted that in 2025 there were 3,000 fires, an increase of 20% compared to the previous year. 🚒

The Federal Act on Natural Damage Insurance of 14 December 2017 requires policyholders to take out natural damage insurance. 💸

The legislation provides that policyholders are required to pay an annual premium of at least 2% of the value of the insured property. 📊

With regard to the management of natural disasters, it should be noted that Switzerland has adopted a national emergency plan for

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Source: tio.ch